Page 159 of Styx

but because they had to work together.

For this, he needed a daily courage.

Nyx’s eyes narrowed slightly at him.

‘I DO NOT RECALL ASKING

YOUR PERMISSION TO GIVE

HER ANYTHING.’ He grew quiet.

I spoke up quickly, before I lost

my own courage to speak.

‘Please tell us where she went.’

Nyx looked at me,

then at Asteria. ‘COME FORWARD.’

All five of us moved to approach her,

but she shook her head and pointed

at me and Asteria.

‘JUST YOU TWO.’ The others stepped back.

For what felt like a long time,

she simply gazed at Asteria and me,

as we stood in awe before her.

Then she said thoughtfully,

‘IN EVERY GENERATION

THERE ARE SOME LIKE US.’

Asteria and I exchanged a quick glance.

We knew she meant our strange powers.

Our consorts, however, did not.

Finally, as though her appraisal

of us had borne some truth to her,

she said, ‘YOUR SISTER…’

she paused, her eyes contemplating.

‘YOUR SISTER ASKED FOR

A GOLDEN APPLE. SHE NEEDED